Eelam and the ‘Negation of the Diaspora’
Ruben Nagesparan Chandrakumar, BS
The negation of the diaspora has been a hallmark of Zionist thought. The concept refers to the need for a spiritual center, a homeland, and a state to protect the nation of Israel from the persecution, oppression, and loss of identity that was characteristic of Jewish experiences in the diaspora. Applying this concept to the Eelam independence movement can offer profoundly revealing insights into the manner of life in the diaspora and the need for an independent country.
As hundreds of thousands of Tamils fled the brutal oppression, war, and genocide of Eelam under Sri Lankan rule, the diaspora became a key factor in the political reality of international politics. While those who have fled to free countries have often been welcomed with unbelievable amounts of kindness and civility, there have been notable detrimental effects on the nation. Despite the economic and political freedoms that many refugees and immigrants from Eelam now have and cherish, the diaspora faces the challenges of language attrition, a lack of historical knowledge, a loss of culture and traditions, a lack of political power and voice for the nation, and discrimination. The need to assimilate has led many to abandon their own history and culture to succeed in foreign countries. Additionally, due to the dearth of institutions that inculcate the values and story of the people of Eelam, many—if not most—are suffering from historical amnesia and an ill-formulated identity. While there is a need to balance one’s group identity with the sovereignty and freedoms of the individual, the difficulties for many Tamils in finding this community and their place within it have fractured and splintered the nation. Without being encultured in their own values, Tamils have perceived no other option than to fully adopt the values and identity of the different countries in which they live. Not only does this pose a significant threat to the promulgation of a language, culture, and history that is one of the longest existing traditions to survive, but it also threatens the unity of the nation.
The diaspora has adapted to its foreign environments and, in places where there is a large community, has created avenues for the continuation of culture. In cities such as Toronto and London, cultural centers, schools, temples, and other institutions have served as vital mechanisms in protecting and maintaining these traditions. While there are many ways in which this cultural loss is countered within the diaspora, the best avenue for preventing this is through the creation of an independent state of Eelam. An independent state would allow the privileging of the Tamil language, history, politics, culture, and identity. Without this, the threats of the Sinhalization of Eelam and the negation of the diaspora will lead to a complete loss of historical awareness and a viable future. The matter of creating an independent state should not be perceived merely as a channel through which Eelam Tamils can attain freedom, prosperity, and justice but as a paramount objective for the survival of the people and the culture.